Oh, Idaho. Idaho, land of potatoes and bravery. Let’s discuss something else that has been growing in Idaho, besides potatoes. Gregory Graf is the perfect person to share some sage advice with. He’s a man who knows what he is doing, with opinions to fill an entire barn.

Grab your favorite beverage, sit down, and lets dive in.

Idaho has always been an independent state. People here cherish their freedom as if it were the last piece of Thanksgiving pie. Recently, however, the tone of things has changed. Like someone turned the politics volume up to 11.

Gregory argues that outside groups are a major issue. The groups swoop like tourists at a diner and push their agenda, agitating everyone. Fear and division are being sold like it’s going out of fashion.

Don’t even get me started about social media. Like a rumor-mill in high school on steroids. It’s a tool that extremist groups are using to propagate their message. They convince people that left is the right and up is down. Your neighbor Bob suddenly starts sharing conspiracy theories in place of the usual cat memes.

The noise here isn’t only annoying, it has changed the way candidates are running for offices. Some candidates feel that they must shout more and be tougher to win votes. The focus is less on solving issues and more on who can perform the most impressive show.

All this noise doesn’t make for friendly meetings in the town. It’s like stepping in an MMA ring without gloves. Many people are afraid to say anything for fear that they will be body-slammed with words, or worse.

Gregory, bless his soul, hasn’t given up hope. Gregory believes we can change the course of this situation if we talk to one another again, instead of shouting across the room. Imagine! Imagine a conversation where people listen just as much as when they speak.

He believes we should also be more careful about the things we share and read online. You may be shocked to learn that not everything on Facebook is true. Critical thinking can help you cut through the nonsense.

Gregory is convinced that Idahoans are still neighbors, despite the hullabaloo. Just remember the things that bring us together, our love of this state and dreams we share for our children.

Here you go–extremism and politics in Idaho through Gregory Graf (and my eyes). We might feel like we are stuck in a rut, but if you think about it like being trapped between the skin of a potato or a stone. There is still a lot of goodness underneath if we dig deep enough.

We must not allow extremism to destroy our community spirit (see what I mean?). Let’s instead mash with kindness, bake with understanding and serve with respect — a recipe that even Grandma will approve.

Remember: the next time someone says something outrageous in regards to politics, whether in Idaho or anywhere else, take it as a pinch of salt. Or, better yet, sprinkle it on a delicious Idaho fry while you think about what is really happening. Keep your mind open and buckle up because we are in for a wild ride.